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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Jann Vaithukku

From Maamiyar Veedu · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Arun Mozhi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Maamiyar Veedu1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaaraachu yaemaandhaa en thozhanaeIf anyone gets fooled, my friend,
Joraaga poo suthu haeiFool them in grand style, hey!
Male
Raajaadhi raajaa vaaCome like a king of kings,
En koodavae oyaama oor suthuRoam around the town with me tirelessly!
Male
Kaalam kali kaalam nallavarkku nashtamThese are dark times (Kali Yuga), where good people suffer losses,
Innorutthan kaasil vaazhuradhaa kashtamIs it really that hard to live off someone else's money?
Male
Pasikkira naerathil namakkena thaanWhen you are starving, for your own sake...
Male
Dharumatha niyaayattha kadai pudichaaIf you strictly stick to charity and justice,
Male
Appaavi neeyaanaaIf you remain an innocent fool,
Un thalaiyil veppaanae molagaaya daeiThey will grind chilis on your head (take total advantage of you), hey!
Male
Pollaadha aalaanaaIf you turn into a ruthless person,
Un madiyil veppaanae maamoolaThey will drop bribes right into your lap!
Deddeddae deddeddae daeiDeddeddae deddeddae daei!
Male
Nalla padi vaazhandha gaandhikkenna aachuWhat happened to Gandhi, who lived such an upright life?
Suttu puttaan paaru poyiduchu moochuLook, he was shot dead, and lost his breath!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Maamiyar Veedu' (1993) delivers a cynical, worldly-wise message about survival in modern society ('Kali Yuga'). Written with Vaali's signature street-smart flair, the speaker advises his friend to abandon naive innocence and moral rigidity in favor of clever trickery. The lyrics argue that the contemporary world exploits the innocent and rewards the crafty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kaalam kali kaalam nallavarkku nashtam / Innorutthan kaasil vaazhuradhaa kashtam

The words 'nashtam' (loss) and 'kashtam' (difficulty) rhyme at the end of lines 5 and 6, reinforcing the cynical tone.

Idiomatic Expression / Metaphor

Joraaga poo suthu haei

'Poo suthu' (literally 'wrap flowers') is a popular Tamil slang idiom meaning to trick, dupe, or deceive someone smoothly.

Cultural Metaphor / Idiom

Un thalaiyil veppaanae molagaaya daei

'Grinding/placing chili on one's head' is a classic Tamil idiom representing extreme exploitation or making a fool of an unsuspecting innocent person.

Historical Allusion

Nalla padi vaazhandha gaandhikkenna aachu / Suttu puttaan paaru poyiduchu moochu

Refers to Mahatma Gandhi's fate as a tragic real-world example to illustrate the argument that ultimate goodness is not rewarded in the current era.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maamiyar Veedu' (1993) featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the prolific Vaali. Vaali was renowned for seamlessly weaving local Tamil slang, colloquial idioms, and contemporary social satire into philosophical songs, making complex worldly advice accessible and catchy for the masses.

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